Photo: self · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Blackstone’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blackstone gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #130 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then hurricanes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Blackstone faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Blackstone’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blackstone, and Blackstone’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 41% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #130 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blackstone’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Virginia town has lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, Blackstone has more expected damage per building than 51% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Blackstone: $547K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blackstone flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blackstone, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Elsa1 claim · $3K
Blackstone isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nottoway County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blackstone
Disasters that paid out in Blackstone itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Blackstone), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$34K to the Town of Blackstone for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$780K to the Town of Blackstone for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$21K to the Town of Blackstone for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$2K to the Town of Blackstone for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$21K to the Town of Blackstone for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel94 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$37K to the Town of Blackstone for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$15K to the Town of Blackstone for repairs
Nottoway County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Blackstone after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blackstone archive →Get ready for what Blackstone faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Blackstone
Is Blackstone at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blackstone has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #130 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and hurricanes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Blackstone flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Blackstone since 2021, $3K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Elsa (1).
Is Blackstone in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Nottoway County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Blackstone?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blackstone’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Blackstone?
By FEMA money that reached Blackstone, Severe Winter Storms (2021): $780K to the Town of Blackstone for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Elsa: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Blackstone at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Blackstone’s rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blackstone.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blackstone’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.